ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
MSP for Rabi Crops
Government has recently announced Minimum Support Prices  for 6 mandated rabi crops viz. wheat, barley, gram, masur , rapeseed & mustard and safflower, for Rabi Marketing Season  2022-23, on the basis of the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices , and after considering the views of State Governments and Central Ministries/Departments concerned and other relevant factors.
The NITI Aayog  has conducted a study entitled “Efficacy of minimum support prices on farmers”, 2016. The study covered 14 States, 36 Districts, 72 Blocks, 144 Villages and 1440 Households. The study is based on both the primary and secondary data. The study has found among other things that MSP declared by the Government has encouraged 78 % of the farmers covered under the study for adopting improved methods of farming such as high yielding varieties of seeds, organic manure, chemical fertilizer, pesticides and improved methods of harvesting etc.
Minimum Support Price  for Rabi Marketing Season 2022-23
|
|
Sl. No.
|
|
COMMODITY
|
|
MSP 
|
|
1
|
|
WHEAT
|
|
2015
|
|
2
|
|
BARLEY
|
|
1635
|
|
3
|
|
GRAM
|
|
5230
|
|
4
|
|
MASUR 
|
|
5500
|
|
5
|
|
RAPESEED & MUSTARD
|
|
5050
|
|
6
|
|
SAFFLOWER
|
|
5441
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha.
Prime Minister's Office
PM wishes KV Subranmanian the best for his future endeavours
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has wished Dr K V Subranmanian the best for his future endeavours. Dr Subranmanian has announced that he is stepping down from the post of Chief Economic Adviser after completing his three year tenure.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"Its been a delight to work with @SubramanianKri. His academic brilliance, unique perspectives on key economic as well as policy matters and reformist zeal are noteworthy. Wishing him the very best for his coming endeavours "
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on improving Medical Tourism in the country
India ranks 10th in Medical Tourism Index  for 2020-2021 out of 46 destinations of the world
Foreign Tourists Arrival on medical purpose increases from 1.83 lakh in 2020 to 3.04 lakh in 2021
India has been ranked 10th in Medical Tourism Index  for 2020-2021 out of 46 destinations of the world by Medical Tourism Association. As per information provided by Ministry of Tourism, foreign tourist arriving in India for medical purpose are as below:
|
|
Year
|
|
Foreign Tourist Arrivals on Medical purpose
|
|
2020
|
|
1.83 lakh
|
|
2021
|
|
3.04 lakh
With an aim to improve medical tourism in country, Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism in 2022. The strategy has identified following key pillars for the development of medical value travel in the country:
- Develop a brand for India as a wellness destination
- Strengthen the ecosystem for medical and wellness tourism
- Enable digitalization by setting up Online Medical Value Travel  Portal
- Enhancement of accessibility for Medical Value Travel
- Promoting Wellness Tourism
- Governance and Institutional Framework
Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is coordinating with other Ministries viz Ministry of Home Affairs, Tourism, AYUSH, External Affairs, Civil Aviation, State Governments and other stakeholders to promote Medical Value Travel  in the country. An institutional approach in coordination with other Ministries like Ministry of Tourism, AYUSH, Home Affairs, External Affairs, Civil Aviation, State Governments and other relevant stakeholders is adopted for promotion of medical value travel. Several rounds of stakeholder consultations have been conducted with line Ministries, Hospitals, MVT facilitators, Insurance Companies and National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers  to identify the challenges and opportunities in the sector.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
CGST Mumbai busts fraudulent availment of Input Tax Credit of Rs. 15 Crore
Mumbai : 12 May, 2022
Central Goods and Services Tax  Commissionerate of Mumbai Zone have busted a fake GST Input Tax Credit  racket and arrested the proprietor of a Darukhana  based firm. Analysis of GST data indicated that the firm was indulging in GST evasion.
Investigation revealed that M/s Aashiq Steel Industries, which deals in trading of steel and other metal products, was involved in fraudulent availment and passing of Input Tax Credit  of Rs 15 Crore without receiving or supply of goods, in gross violation of the provisions of CGST Act, 2017. Bogus bills of around Rs. 83 Crore were issued for this tax fraud.
The owner was arrested under Section 69 of CGST Act, 2017 for contravention of Section 132 of CGST Act, 2017 and produced before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on 11.05.2022. The court has remanded him to 14 days judicial custody. Further investigation is under progress.
This operation is a part of efforts by CGST Mumbai Zone to stamp out fake ITC networks and tax evaders, which have been causing unhealthy competition with honest taxpayers and defrauding the Government Exchequer. As a part of these efforts, in the last financial year, CGST Mumbai Central Commissionerate has unearthed fake ITC amounting to Rs.600 Crore, recovered Rs. 150 Crore and arrested 11 tax evaders.
CGST officers are using data analysis and network analysis tools to identify potential fraudsters. Department is going to intensify the drive against tax evaders in this financial year.
Source: CGST Commisionerate
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Ministry of Earth Sciences
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad observes Swachhata Pakhwada
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services , Hyderabad is a globally recognized autonomous institution under Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India. The Centre provides free dedicated ocean information services to the Nation, using state-of-the-art technology and research, for increasing Safety and Profit. The three primary services provided are the Tsunami Early Warning Service, Ocean State Forecast Service and Potential Fishing Zone Advisory Service.
Swachhata Pakhwada was held at the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services till 15 July. Several activities were conducted towards awareness generation of the mission objectives to eradicate open defecation, efficient management of solid and liquid waste, encourage cost effective and appropriate technologies for ecologically safe and sustainable sanitation, overall cleanliness etc. These included plantation of trees at ITCOocean campus , awareness campaign and distribution of personal hygiene materials to INCOIS outsourced  staff, single-use plastic avoidance pledge and campus sanitization.
Special e-contests : Drawing  and Essay  were held for school children. An e-poster contest of " How does Swachhata impact oceans? " was also held for employees. The programme was inaugurated with a webinar on " Open Defecation Free India : A Case Study of Krishna District in Andhra Pradesh" by Ms. J Kiranmai, Registrar, Institute for Public Enterprise on 1st July 2020. Another focused webinar on "Swachch Samudra" was presented by Dr. Nimit Kumar, Scientist, INCOIS on 13th July 2020. Today a special webinar on "COVID19: Protector or Polluter to the Oceans" was presented by Shri. Sivaiah Borra, Scientist , INCOIS during the valedictory session of the Pakhwada. Contest winners were also announced.
All webinars are free to view on INCOIS' YouTube Channel: @INCOISofficial Hyderabad.
Images from the valedictory session :
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Rajya Sabha passes RTI Amendment Bill, 2019
Bill passed in Lok Sabha on 22nd July
No motivation to curtail the independence of the RTI Act: Dr Jitendra Singh
After being passed in Lok Sabha recently, the RTI Amendment Bill, 2019 was passed by the Rajya Sabha today.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said that there is no motivation to curtail the independence of the RTI Act. There is no interference as far as the independence of the Act is concerned, the Minister assured. Speaking about the fixation of the tenure of Information Commissioners, he clarified that it is never mentioned in the amendment that the Government will change it after every two years, as alleged by the Opposition. The Government will not have unbridled powers to amend the rules, he emphasised. The Minister said that the Government is open to the suggestions and the amendment is being done with a clean intention. On the issue of referring it to the Select Committee of the House, the Minister said that it is the prerogative of the members and it should be determined on the basis of the merit of the Bill.
The Minister said that the Government has always focused on the principle of ‘maximum governance, minimum government’. He mentioned about various such initiatives of the Government such as self attestation, abolition of interviews etc. The essence of these initiatives is aimed at accountability and citizen-centric approach of the Government. The Minister also said that ‘Mobile App’ was brought by the Government to enable the citizens to file RTI any time. He added that in the last five years, most of the information is available in the public domain.
Speaking about the objective of bringing this amendment, the Minister said that CIC is a statutory body and Election Commission is a Constitutional body. Therefore, the mandate of Election Commission of India and Central and State Information Commissions are different and needed to be determined accordingly. He clarified that this amendment has been brought in without any motivation. This will help in streamlining the RTI, he added. He assured that this will help to strengthen the RTI Act.
The Bill was not referred to a Select Committee, with 117 members voting against referring the bill to a select committee, and 75 members voting for it.
The Lok Sabha had passed the Right to Information  Bill, 2019 on 22nd July. In this amendment, it is proposed to amend the Right to Information Act, 2005 so as to provide that the term of office of, and the salaries, allowances and other terms and conditions of service of, the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners and the State Chief Information Commissioner and the State Information Commissioners, shall be such as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India records a new Milestone: Recovery Rate touches 90.00%
Active Caseload continues to slide, only 8.50% of Total Positive Cases
Less than 1000 deaths since last one week
Total number of labs exceeds 2000
India has recorded another landmark achievement. The national Recovery Rate has touched 90% today. 62,077 have recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours whereas the new confirmed cases stand at 50,129.
This achievement is matched by the downward spiral fall of the total active cases, which are maintained below the 7 lakh mark for the third successive day.
Presently the active cases comprise merely 8.50% of the total positive cases of the country standing at 6,68,154.
The total recovered cases also continue to rise. They are 70,78,123 so far. With increasing number of recoveries, this gap is continuously widening. The gap between Recovered cases and Active cases has crossed 64 lakh .
Less than 1000 deaths have been continuously reported since the last one week. The deaths are below the 1100 mark since 2nd October.
75% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs viz. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
Maharashtra leads the tally with more than 10,000 single day recoveries.
50,129 new confirmed cases were recorded in last 24 hours.
79% of the new cases are from 10 States and UTs. Kerala continues to be the State reporting a very high number of new cases with more than 8,000 cases followed by Maharashtra with more than 6,000 cases.
578 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours. Of these, nearly 80% are concentrated in ten States/UTs.
Maharashtra has contributed the maximum to the new fatalities with 137 deaths.
India’s testing lab network has inked another achievement today. The total number of labs has crossed 2000. Starting from one lab in Pune, the number of labs stands at 2003 which includes 1126 Government laboratories and 877 Private laboratories.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Glacial advances in the Yankti Kuti Valley synchronizes with climate variability
Multiple events of glacial advances have been witnessed from the Yankti Kuti valley situated in the extreme eastern part of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, since 52 thousand years  that synchronises with climate variability, according to a new study.
Many researchers have provided information on the nature of glaciation in the Central Himalayas by employing various modern dating methods. However, the chronological data for glacial landforms in the Central Himalayas is still limited due to the lack of dating material in the study areas because of the inaccessibility of these areas. Thus a correlation between two major climatic systems: the Indian summer Monsoon and the mid-latitude westerlies and glacier advance remained speculative.
Scientists of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology has reported first time the oldest glacial advance during 52 Kilo years from the Central Himalaya, as the evidence of glacial advance during the Last Glacial Maxima and subsequently younger time periods have already been reported from many parts of the Central Himalaya.
They found that moisture-deficient valleys of semi-arid Himalayan regions respond sensitively to enhance precipitation. The study suggests a regional synchronicity of glacier response to climate variability since MIS 3. The study carried out was in accordance with the synoptic-scale, climatic perturbation triggered by the North Atlantic millennial-scale climate oscillations.
The research published in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews provides a robust chronology and climatic evidence indicating significant ice volume depicted by the height of glacial material  during MIS 3.
The study can help enhance the existing knowledge of the relationship between Himalayan climate and glacier dynamics and can help assessing the role of Indian Summer Monsoon  versus westerlies in driving the valley glaciers in the Central Himalayan region.
Study area of the present research work.
D.O.I:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.107246
Quaternary Science Reviews 273  107246
Ministry of Power
NTPC Dadristrives to become the cleanest coal fired plant of India
All emission parameters are being monitored online and are transmitted to Central Pollution Control Board  on real time basis
Dry Sorbent Injection system, SOFA  systemhave been installed for SOxand NOx reduction respectively
NTPC Dadri also pioneered co-firing of Biomass pellets along with coal in the boilers
NTPC Dadri is striving to become the cleanest coal fired plant in the country and is complying with all the CPCB guidelines on emissions. All the emission parameters are being monitored online and transmitted to Central Pollution Control Board  on real time basis. As per a statement issued by NTPC Ltd, the PSU under Ministry of Power, the Flue gas emissions and Particulate matter are well within the CPCB norms with high efficiency ESP  in service in all the 4 nos. 210 MW & 2 nos. 490 MW units.
For SOx reduction, Dry Sorbent Injection  system has been installed in 210 MW units for the first time in the country with technology from UCC  , USA and now all the four units are meeting emission norms. FGD system is in advanced stage of implementation in 490 MW units by BHEL with technology from Mitsubishi Power Works, Japan.
All the 210 MW units were already compliant to NOx emission norms. In 490 MW units, SOFA  system has been installed and all the units now comply with the norms for NOx.
NTPC Dadri has also pioneered co-firing of Biomass pellets along with coal in the boilers. The pellets are made of husk or agro-residue which would have been burnt otherwise in the fields increasing the pollution in NCR region. More than 8000 Tons of pellets have been fired in the boilers of NTPC Dadri, which is equivalent to almost 4000 acres of farm fire avoided.
NTPC Dadri has set new benchmarks in Water consumption, going beyond compliances, by implementing Zero liquid discharge system, and Rain water harvesting system.
About NTPC’s efforts towards a sustainable environment:
NTPC’s efforts in leading the energy transition to a decentralised, decarbonised and digitalised energy. It provides broad framework for the company’s priorities to meet the challenges in Decarbonisation & Air emissions control, Water & Biodiversity Conservation, Circular Economy, Health and Safety, Community Development, Strong Finance & Ethics and Sustainable Supply Chain.
As part of its commitment towards the environment, NTPC has undertaken a many ‘firsts’ for the sector. NTPC is working towards utilising agro residue for power generation to discourage in-field crop residue burning. NTPC is also striving hard to install sulphur dioxide-reducing technology flue-gas desulphurisation  at all its plants across the country. NTPC is also working towards various waste to energy projects for a sustainable environment.
NTPC is also taking every possible step to make its energy portfolio greener by adding significant capacities of Renewable Energy  Sources. By 2032, the company plans to have a minimum of 32000 MW capacity through RE sources constituting nearly 25% of its overall power generation capacity.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
|
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 213.52 Cr
Over 4.04 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 53,974
5,910 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.69%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 2.15%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 213.52 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 4.04 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,04,14,283
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,01,08,793
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
68,08,200
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
1,84,35,011
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
1,77,02,579
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
1,32,46,387
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
4,04,65,525
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
3,04,78,434
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
6,17,29,479
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
5,24,75,965
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
56,07,25,224
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
51,36,62,006
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6,85,11,275
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
20,39,31,989
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
19,64,59,678
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
3,76,38,150
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
12,76,00,113
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
12,28,02,206
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4,20,79,648
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
16,82,83,660
|
|
Total
|
|
2,13,52,74,945
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 53,974. Active cases now constitute 0.12% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.69%. 7,034 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,38,80,464.
5,910 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 2,27,313 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 88.73 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 2.15% and the Daily Positivity rate is reported to be 2.60%.
Special Service and Features
Gold worth Rs. 24.2 lakhs seized by Chennai Air Customs. One arrested
Based on intelligence, oneKalaiyarasan Karunanithi,31, of Thiruvarurwho arrived from Sharjah by Air Arabia flight G9-471 was intercepted at exit. On personal search, fourbundles of gold paste weighing 602 grams were recovered from rectum. On extraction 495 grams of 24k purity gold valued at Rs. 24.2lakhs was recovered and seized under Customs Act. He was arrested.
495 grams of gold worth Rs. 24.2 lakhs seized under Customs Act. One arrested.
Further investigation is under progress, according to a press release issued by the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.
Ministry of Defence
New Indian Air Force Ensign
08 Oct 2023 will go down as a momentous day in the annals of IAF history. On this historic day, the Chief of Air Staff will unveil the new IAF ensign.
Going back in history, the RIAF Ensign comprised of the Union Jack in the upper left canton and the RIAF roundel  on the fly side. Post-Independence, the Indian Air Force ensign was created by replacing the Union Jack with the Indian tri colour and the RAF roundels with the IAF tri colour roundel in the lower right canton.
A new lAF ensign has now been created to better reflect the values of the Indian Air Force. This reaffirmation will now be reflected by the inclusion of the Air Force Crest in the top right corner of the Ensign, towards the fly side.
The IAF Crest has the national symbol, the Ashoka lion on the top with the words “सत्यमेव जयते” in Devanagari below it. Below the Ashoka lion is a Himalayan eagle with its wings spread, denoting the fighting qualities of the IAF. A ring in light blue colour encircles the Himalayan eagle with the words “भारतीय वायु सेना”The motto of the IAF "नभः स्पृशं दीप्तम्" is inscribed below Himalayan eagle in golden Devanagari. The IAF motto has been taken from verse 24, Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita and means "Radiant Thou Touchest Heaven" or in other words "Touching the sky with Glory".